By ERICK OCHIENG’

World Deaf Athletics Championships silver medalist Peter Toroitich from Rift Valley clocked 30:31.0 to? clinch the men’s 10,000m slot at the National ?Deaf ?Athletics Association of Kenya (DAAK) ?trials at Nyayo National Stadium Tuesday.

The trials were for the World Championship to be staged?? in Toronto, Canada, next month.

Toroitich floored Deaflympics 5,000m record holder David Kipkogei, 30:39.7, in the hotly-contested race of the day that had five participants meeting the qualification mark.

Peter Toroitich (right) and David Kipkogen compete in 10,000m. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

David Njoru from Central came third in 31:14.7, followed by Geoffrey Simiyu from Rift Valley (32:28.4) and Peter Kiarie from Nairobi (33:59.5) took fourth and fifth positions.

DAAK could have a big headache selecting the final three representatives in the category as all the five athletes merit being in the Kenyan contingent for Canada.

The option would only be easy?should other categories fail to get representatives as DAAK only has a budget?to take ?24 athletes and eight officials to ?Canada.

Yesterday was great joy for Toroitich, who registered a Did Not Finish (DNF) at the 2009 Deaflympics Games in Taipei after he was felled along the way during the contest.

Technical hitch

Toroitich, who trains individually in war-torn Pokot region, said he is gunning for nothing else, but gold at the World Championship.

Kipkogei was elated?for getting the chance to represent Kenya in Canada, saying he missed the first World Deaf Athletics Championships in 2008 in Turkey due to a technical hitch which saw his name excluded in the final squad?that represented Kenya.

“But I am grateful that I was able to overcome that and win for Kenya gold in both 10,000m and 5000m at Deaflympics the following year in Taipei, I am doing all I can to protect?the Deaflympics 5000m record that I am currently holding,” Kipkogei said through an interpreter.

Better finish

Kipkogei trains at Kapng’etuny camp on the way to Eldoret town with able-bodied athletes whom he said have contributed immensely to his progress.

Njoru from Mwea is hopeful he is going to make a better finish in Canada as he is still relenting from the fourth place finish he recorded in Taipei.

If included in the final squad it will be Simiyu’s first chance to represent the country abroad. Simiyu who doubles up as a marathoner and trains in Saboti was excited to attain the qualification mark for Canada.

Veronicah Wairimu from Nairobi is the sole athlete in the women’s 10,000m category, which she got without breaking a sweat.

Wairimu, who trains in Kiambu, has a personal best of 45:38.02, which he attained at the Nairobi contest in March.

The trials end today. The Kenyan contingent will travel on July 10 to Canada. The Games commence on July 12 and end on July 22.

 

?Leading final results

Long Jump

Wilson Kenda (NBI) 5.82m

Charles Mutai (RV) 5.81m

Simon Aden (NBI) 5.72m

Shot Putt

Mercy Ayuma (RV) 8.74m

Beryl Wamira (NYA) 8.16m

Mary Waithira (CEN) 7.49m